Liposuction

Liposuction is suitable for both male and female patients. It is a popular treatment to remove areas of excess fat on your body, thighs, arms and under-chin area. Liposuction is a good treatment to improve the contours of your body, however it is not a weight loss treatment.

If you are over 18, generally healthy, not overweight and a non-smoker, you are suitable for liposuction. Occasionally, some people who seek liposuction may actually not be suitable, and may require a different treatment such as a tummy tuck, arm lift or facelift/necklift or a combination of procedures. During your consultation, you will be advised on whether liposuction is suitable for you.

At your consultation, you will meet Dr Kian, a fully-qualified plastic surgeon who is trained in a wide range of liposuction and body contouring techniques. He will take a full medical history including details of medications, allergies and smoking. Dr Kian also always takes time to understand what your goals and concerns are.

During your examination, the following will be assessed systematically and standard clinical photographs will be taken for your medical record:

• areas of fat to be targeted
• asymmetry
• skin excess/quality

Dr Kian will then discuss your procedure with you. He will explain the potential risks and complications of surgery so that you make a fully-informed decision. There will be plenty of time to answer any questions that you may have and you can rest assured that Dr Kian will give you his honest, professional advice.

Small cannulas are used to remove fat through small incisions. Although incisions are small and placed discreetly, there may be some visible scars. Dr Kian will discuss what you are likely to expect at your consultation.

Liposuction will produce immediate results however you will have post-surgical swelling and bruising that will take up to 2 weeks to subside. Sometimes, bruising can take several weeks to completely disappear. Full results can take more than 6 weeks, however if you put on or lose weight in the future it will have an impact on your results. Scars may continue to be red initially but will usually fade well with time.

Liposuction does not treat cellulite, which is dimpling due to fibrous septae in your fat. Liposuction is also not suitable if you have poor quality or excessive skin as removing fat from underneath may make your skin more lax. Liposuction is also not a substitute for a healthy diet and exercise, therefore you need to be at a good, stable weight to be a candidate for liposuction.

Most patients are very satisfied with the results of their liposuction. However, it is important to choose a surgeon who is appropriately trained in fat transfer techniques to minimise the risk of complications. During your consultation, Dr Kian will explain the potential risks and complications of your procedure. Some of these include:

• Scar – these are normally from small incisions (less than 1cm). They are usually placed discreetly but may be visible after surgery.
• Infection – some infections may require antibiotic treatment.
• Bleeding/haematoma – bleeding or a collection of blood that may result in swelling, firmness and scarring.
• Seroma – this is a collection of fluid produced by the body.
• Wound healing problems – this is unusual for the small incisions used.
• Fat necrosis – Fat that loses its blood supply can cause firm, tender lumps that may form scar tissue.
• Skin burns – friction from the liposuction cannula can cause skin burns. There is also a theoretical risk of burns from the ultrasound energy from VASER, however the risk is minimised in the latest generation of devices.
• Unfavourable results – this may be due to problems with asymmetry, under- or over-correction of your problem, contour/skin irregularities.

Recovery time is very individual, however for most people this will be between 7 to 14 days. For under-chin liposuction, you will be asked to keep your head elevated for at least 48 hours after the procedure to keep the swelling down. We would normally advise to take a 1-2 weeks off work, however you may return to work sooner or later depending on how you recover and the type of work that you do. You will be asked to wear a post-surgical support garment day and night for the first 3 weeks, followed by in the daytime only for a further 3 weeks. Full results take at least 6 weeks, however this will vary from person to person.

Dr Kian believes that good aftercare is as important as the surgery itself. You will be given contact details to get in touch should you have any concerns after your surgery. You will have a clinic appointment approximately 1 week after your procedure. At this time, the wound is inspected to ensure that it is healing well and there is no infection. You will have a full review appointment with Dr Kian at approximately 6 weeks after your surgery to check that you are happy with your results and to give you long-term aftercare instructions.